YMCA Grand Bahama Family Fun Day for Haiti

Freeport, Bahamas - The YMCA and Reach Out Ministry are partnering once again to raise funds to assist in the continued restoration and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.

This weekend the field and facilities at the YMCA will be buzzing with activities, said Karon Pinder-Johnson, YMCA executive director.

"This Saturday, March 6 from 12 noon until, we will host a Family Fun Day here at the 'Y' with proceeds to aid the Haiti earthquake victims," she added.

The highlight of the day will be the basketball game scheduled between the Haitian and Bahamian pastors, noted Pinder-Johnson.

"In addition we will have competitions in football, volleyball, soccer, basketball and powerlifting."

Pinder-Johnson said that there will be native Bahamian dishes, griot, hot-dogs and hamburgers on sale for the entire family to enjoy.

"So we are inviting the entire Grand Bahama community to come out on Saturday and join us as we continue to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti," said Pinder-Johnson.

"We have been able to successfully fill a 40ft trailer that is scheduled for shipping on Sunday," she disclosed.

"The response from the community was very good and we want to thank all of the businesses that came on-board to assist this effort."

She noted that the Family Fun Day is a continuing effort to assist Haiti.

Pinder-Johnson said that there will be an entrance fee, "we will be accepting canned goods, personal effects and baby items as the entrance fee during the day, but for the basketball games we will be charging a $1 for kids and $4 or $5 for adults."

All of the proceeds will go toward the Haiti relief effort.

Dudley Seide, president of Reach Out Ministry said that the pastors' game is the highlight of the day.

'But we are asking players from throughout Grand Bahama to come out, let's have fun as we help our brothers and sisters in Haiti," he added.

Representatives from football, soccer and basketball were on-hand and also encouraged the Grand Bahama community to come out and support this event.

"We are expecting a great time and please bring out some canned goods so that we can assist with the need in Haiti," said James Kemp of the Northern Bahamas American Football League.

"This is an effort where the entire Grand Bahama community can lend a helping hand."

Bishop Joseph Hall, representing the Bahamian pastors basketball team, said that the game between the pastors will be one that should not be missed.

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Rotary - $500,000 raised for Haiti

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Raise Over $250,000 and Telethon raises another $250,000

By Azaleta Ishmael-Newry

 

Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry Caption: Rotary Club of Grand Bahama donated $8,000 to the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Disaster Fund for Haiti. Shown in the photo from left to right are ADG Felix Stubbs accepting a cheque from Joe Thompson, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise and newly recognized businessman with a Queen’s Badge of Honour for his contribution in business, sports and community in Freeport

 

Nassau, Bahamas – The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (District 7020) have worked diligently to raise funds to assist Haiti after the devastating earthquake struck the country on January 12th affecting up to 3 million people.


The 17 Rotary clubs in Haiti with a membership of approximately 350 and the 9 Rotary clubs in The Bahamas with approximately 400 Rotarians have worked jointly to ensure that the supplies and donations provided are properly distributed.

 

Photo: Diana White: Haitian Rotarians share insight with Bahamian Rotarians. Assistant Governor Adele Noel-Romelus (Haiti) and Dr. Guy Theodore (Haiti) discuss the local situation in Pignon, Haiti with Past Governor Dick McCombe (Bahamas) and Past RI Director, Barry Rassin (Bahamas) on January 31st. Shelter Box Tents are shown in the background at left.  

 

In the first 3 weeks since the earthquake, apart from other forms of donations, over $500,000 was raised which included over $250,000 from the various Bahamas Rotary clubs as well as the Telethon. The 4 hour “Help us help Haiti Telethon” organized by Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce with help from a number of other supporters held on January 25th and 26th, raised over $250,000.

The response from the public has been impressive and is ongoing. An example includes an $8,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise.Although not a part of District 7020, this Rotary club assisted the Bahamas’ efforts with a cheque presentation by President-Elect Joe Thompson who was in Nassau to receive a Queen’s Honour for his outstanding work in Grand Bahama in the areas of business, sports and community involvement.
“Our Club came together with a strong sense of teamwork. The earthquake has tested all of us and the long reaching arms of Rotary has been significant in assisting,” said Joe during the cheque presentation.

 

Photo by Gina Greene Caption: Rotary and The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce host “Help us help Haiti Telethon” that rose $250,000 in 4 hours at the Hilton Hotel. Left to right are: Lillian Russell, Past Secretary, RC Southeast Nassau, Edwin Lightbourne, General Manager, ZNS, Rochelle Wilkinson Past Treasurer, RC Southeast Nassau, Ed Bethel, Nassau Guardian, Diane Philips, DPA & Associates and Philip Simon, Executive Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. The event was aired on ZNS and other local channels. 

ADG Felix accepted the donation on behalf of the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas stating that “We are pleased that your club has shared their generosity with the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas which includes New Providence, Abaco, CatIsland and Eleuthera as part of their fundraising, making us better able to assist Haiti.”
Another Rotary club that celebrated their success at their weekly meeting on February 3rd was the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau who raised $54,000.

Other Rotary Clubs who celebrated successful fundraising efforts include the Rotary Club of East Nassau with $112,000 and the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau with $54,000.



"Even after 20 years in Rotary I am continually impressed with the generosity of its members,” said Lindsey Cancino, District 7020 Foundation Chair and PP of the Rotary Club of East Nassau. “Now that the initial emergency rescue relief is done, we are moving on to general health and restoration. Rotary has no intention of pulling out soon and will be there for the long haul; we will need support going forward."

Photo by Valentine Maura: The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau called on their members to help raise funds for Haiti and $54,000 was realized in 3 weeks. Shown in the photo are fellow Rotarians and a few who assisted with the fundraising drive. From left to right are: Past President (PP) Tracey Knowles, Larry Treco, PP Charles Sealy II, President Anna DeGregory, President-Elect Marvin Bethel, Past Secretary, Azaleta Ishmael-Newry and PP, current Treasurer and Disaster Relief Chair Peter Goudie.

Every Rotary Club in The Bahamas has contributed significantly to the half a million dollars raised as well as other types of donations, manpower, expertise and more. President Shaun Ingraham of the Rotary Club of Eleuthera who is a disaster relief specialist is on the ground in Haiti working with Rotary and Methodist Habitat. People like Past District Governor, Richard McCombe and his wife Past President Carla, ADG Felix Stubbs and his wife President Carla Stubbs, Past Presidents Peter Bates and Charles Sealy as well as Past Rotary International Director Barry Rassin and his wife Esther are all working tirelessly for Rotary the people of Haiti.

There are many more proud Rotarians and their families and friends who have assisted and Rotary would like to thank the public for their generosity. Further donations can be made to the “Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund” or by contacting Felix Stubbs at fstubbs@bs.ibm.com or at 242-302-6280.

Rotary is an international organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. They have been working on the ground in Haiti and have significantly contributed to the recovery efforts. More information can be found at www.7020.org.

Grand Bahama Port Authority donates to Haiti relief

 

Mrs. Ginger Moxey, GBPA- Vice President; Mr. Ian Rolle, GBPA-President; Mr. Andrew Sweeting, Deputy President & Chairman, Bahamas Red Cross Society, Grand Bahama Centre; Ms. Mary Russell, Administrator, Bahamas Red Cross Society, Grand Bahama Centre; Mrs. Geneva Rutherford, GBPA Director of Community Relations; and Mrs. Crecola Glass, Employee of the Year (EOTY) – Devco Legal. (From left to right, back row): Miss Dereka Wells, EOTY – Legal Dept; Miss Telina Smith, Office Assistant/Information Coordinator, Personnel Department; Mrs. Margaret Williams, EOTY – Customer Relations; Mrs. Shoron Hall-Wilchcombe, EOTY Devco Sales; Miss Brooke Sands, Group EOTY 2009 – 2010; Mr. Sergio Armaly, EOTY – Bourbon Street Ltd; Miss Lucretia Sands, EOTY – Community Relations; Mrs. Edith Martin, EOTY – Executive Office; and Miss Shamara Forbes, EOTY – Finance (including IT).

By GBPA
Freeport, Bahamas – Management and staff of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Group of Companies (PGL) recently made official donations to the Bahamas Red Cross Society, Grand Bahama Centre on behalf of the Haiti Relief Campaign.

January 12th transformed the lives of millions in Haiti when a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake struck and GBPA staff responded immediately, donating food, clothing, medical supplies, baby items and monetary funds towards relief efforts.

In making the presentation, Mr. Ian Rolle, GBPA President reflected on that significant date and its aftermath. “That fateful day claimed the lives of over 150,000 people and left millions on that island nation in distress. As the weeks have passed, we have seen images of utter tragedy, but amidst them, there have been rays of hope in the form of remarkable rescues and acts of bravery,” said Rolle.


He congratulated GBPA staff on their outpouring of support for the Haiti Relief Campaign. “These donations today truly exemplify that we are our brothers’ keepers,” Rolle added.

Accepting the donations was Mr. Andrew Sweeting, Deputy President & Chairman, Bahamas Red Cross Society, Grand Bahama Centre, who assured GBPA that their entire contribution would be used towards the Haiti Relief cause. “We are reminded that the situation in Haiti is not a quick fix. However, we thank you for your generous donation,” said Sweeting.

Miss Brooke Sands, GBPA ‘Group Employee of the Year’ 2009- 2010, extended sympathies. “The situation in Haiti is heartbreaking but I think I speak on behalf of all of our employees when I say I am glad to be a part of a company that gives. Our prayers and condolences go out to Haiti as we show it is better to give than to receive,” Sands expressed.

GBPA also expressed gratitude to Bellevue Business Depot who donated all of the storage bins for the numerous items earmarked for Haiti.

Grand Bahama Airport Company aids mercy flights to Haiti

By Gregory Christie

 FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — The Grand Bahama Airport Company is among the first corporate citizens in the Bahamas to lend a hand following the tragedy in Haiti, providing assistance for two helicopters enroute to the devastated island with relief supplies.

Pegasus Tech a private company out of Jacksonville, FL, heading to Haiti with two helicopters filled with supplies to assist in the search and rescue efforts following Tuesday’s 7.0 earthquake, made a fueling stop in Grand Bahama. To assist the humanitarian effort by Pegasus Tech, the Grand Bahama Airport Company waived all landing fees for the helicopters.

Gary Gilbert, CEO of Grand Bahama Airport Company, Freeport Container Port and Freeport Harbour Company, said the assistance was is some small way the first opportunity the company has to show its support for the search and rescue efforts underway on that island.

“We cannot begin to imagine what lies ahead for that country and we are pleased to be able to show our support,” said Mr. Gilbert.

The two helicopters were piloted by Randy Dossey and Captain Stephen Weaver.

Onè Respe- A Photographic Benefit for the Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake

By now you have heard of the devastation caused by the massive earthquake in Haiti. Reports are still coming in, and the full measure of the damage is still not known. Hospitals, residences and government buildings have collapsed or have been heavily damaged. In interviews, Haitian officials have asked all friends of Haiti to please provide any assistance possible to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. They are in desperate need of medical and disaster relief supplies.

Several photographers including the iconic photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark, have donated the use of one or more of their works to help create this issue as a fund-raising photography magazine to benefit Haiti with all proceeds to be donated to the International Red Cross. The title Haiti: One Respe comes from a traditional Haitian greeting meaning "honor and respect."
Preview The book

Haiti Earthquake- How to Help

Port-au-Prince, HAITI - In this photo people carry an injured person after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area rocked Haiti on Tuesday. The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince. View PHOTOS of Haiti aftermath.
The Bahamas Red Cross is accepting donations of non-perishable food, blankets, sheets pillows and anything useful at their JFK offices and at their drop box at The College of the Bahamas. If you don't have anything to donate please drop off a check for any amount you can afford to help.

Become a Fan of Bahamas Red Cross on Facebook

The Grand Bahama Christian Council is also collecting donations. They can be reached at 351-9344.

RBC Launches Haiti Fund

Freeport Bible Church Freeport Bible Church located on West Altantic Drive (352-6065) has a food and clothing drive.

With the port and airport closed in Haiti, the most important item needed is monetary donations .
You can donate money the following ways:

 William J. Clinton Org

www.savethechildren.org

Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross


www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti

Text HAITI to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton Foundation



Vestarair to send women’s items to Haiti - donate in Nassau.

Bahamas - please email Editor@thebahamasweekly.com about your island's assistance efforts.

In Miami, FL: you can drop off bottled water, non-perishable canned food, and first aid supplies (please NO CLOTHES at this time) to any MARTINO TIRE location.
Call 1-800-844-TIRE for a location near you.

The Bahamas Humane Society is a designated drop off.